Ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), the latest Lancet Countdown report found that the health impacts of climate change are accelerating, with heat-related deaths, drought and other climate-related risks increasing faster than a decade ago, even as clean energy investments and climate action begin to deliver health benefits.

A decade after the Paris Agreement entered into force, the 2026 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change reports that many climate-related health harms are growing faster than the global response. Annual average heat-related deaths increased by nearly 36% in the years following the Paris Agreement compared with the previous decade. In 2023 alone, heat was linked to a record 710,000 deaths globally, with more than 70% of that burden attributable to human-caused climate change. The report also highlights worsening drought conditions, increasing exposure to hydrological extremes and substantial economic losses linked to heat exposure.

However, global investment in clean energy reached a record US$ 2.1 trillion in 2025, while many countries that have lowered fossil fuel-related air pollution are estimated to be protecting thousands of people from premature deaths each year. The report also notes advances in climate-resilient health systems, including increased adoption of national health adaptation plans and climate-informed early warning systems.

The report’s authors call for climate change to be formally recognized and addressed as a global health emergency, and for health considerations to be integrated across climate mitigation, adaptation and financing decisions. Priorities include accelerating reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, increasing support for adaptation and expanding investments that strengthen health system resilience.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is responding to climate-related health risks through a range of existing functions, including surveillance, climate-informed early warning systems, health adaptation planning, technical guidance and emergency response operations. Since September, it is responding to the expected health impacts of the ongoing El Niño event through a graded emergency response and a Global Incident Management Team (IMT), mobilizing expertise, health intelligence and support to countries most at risk.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping how organizations operate and maintain offices, manufacturing plants, data centers and other commercial real estate properties, according to JLL’s Global State of Facilities Management 2026 Report. Based on responses from 1,321 organizations worldwide, the research found that 45% of organizations are already scaling or optimizing AI in facilities management operations, a figure expected to rise to 86% by 2030.

While organizations are rapidly advancing AI adoption, many still need to build the workforce and operational capabilities to support it at scale. Nearly 70% of respondents reported operational disruptions during the past year caused by skilled-trades labor shortages and gaps in AI or technical skills. Yet, fewer than 45% said they are prepared to manage those risks during the next three to five years.

“Organizations across the Americas are rethinking the role of facilities management as they confront persistent skilled labor shortages, growing technology demands and heightened operational risks,” said Chris Fernandez, Americas head of workplace management at JLL. “The most successful organizations are treating facilities management as a strategic investment and using AI and data-driven operations to improve productivity and resilience while building the workforce capabilities needed to support long-term growth. As the demands on facilities teams continue to expand, facilities management is increasingly earning a seat at the executive table.”

Additionally, half of respondents view facilities management as a significant driver of competitive advantage, a figure projected to rise to 82% by 2030. Organizations with more advanced AI adoption also report higher perceptions of facilities management’s strategic value.

The study found that robotics adoption is also expected to nearly double, rising from 37% of organizations today to 71% by 2030. Furthermore, the research also found that organizations viewing facilities management as a competitive advantage are increasing investment rather than reducing resources. Among these respondents, 64% expected facilities management budgets to increase over the next three to five years, 58% planned to expand their workforce and 45% anticipated growth in both budget and workforce.

As organizations expand technology across larger portfolios, they increasingly recognize the need for external expertise as facilities operations become more technology-enabled and complex. Nearly half of advanced AI adopters considered external facilities management and technology partnerships essential, compared with just 20% of organizations that have not yet deployed AI.

“Data readiness remains one of the biggest barriers to scaling AI successfully,” said Wei Xie, head of strategy and research, workplace management at JLL. “As organizations advance their AI adoption, provider selection increasingly shifts from cost and reliability toward data, technology and innovation capabilities. Organizations deploying AI at scale are more than twice as likely as those in the early stages to view external partnerships as essential to success.”

Looking ahead, nearly 90% expect spending to shift from labor to technology and automation, and they expect greater use of outcome-based pricing, while 85% envision operations delivered through a combination of human technicians, AI and robotics; however, procurement processes have yet to keep pace.